Hammersmith & Fulham Direct Payment Review

Direct Payment Support - please tell us what you think

Ruils is a user-led organisation, set up and managed by disabled people. We have been delivering Direct Payment Support Services in Richmond, and more recently in Wandsworth, for over 10 years.

Hammersmith and Fulham Council currently manage Direct Payments and have asked us to carry out an independent review of the service provided by the council. We are conducting a comprehensive review which includes talking to council staff, voluntary sector organisations, but most importantly you.

We want to hear your views about the support you receive if you are using a Direct Payment to organise your care and support.

The results of this survey, but not your personal details, will be shared with the Council and local voluntary sector organisations so that when decisions regarding Direct Payment support are made, your views will be at the centre of those decisions.

Your answers will be treated as private - they will not be passed on to your social worker, care and support worker or anyone providing you with a service. You will not be personally identified and your answers will not affect the services or benefits you receive.

There are THREE ways to complete this survey:

1. Online - https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DP_Review01

3. By post - If you are completing the survey as a paper copy please return using the FREE post envelope provided or return it to us: Ruils, The Disability Action & Advice Centre, 4 Waldegrave Road, Teddington TW11 8HT.

If you get help from a friend or relative to record your answers, please remember that it is your views and experiences that are important to us, rather than those of anyone that helps you. The online survey will allow you to answer the survey in stages so that you do not have to complete it at the first attempt.

All responses will be kept confidential and anonymous.

By completing this survey your name will go in to a prize draw and one lucky person will win a £50 high street voucher.

The survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. It may take longer, but you can save it and come back to it.

If you have any questions regarding this survey or you would like to take part in a one to one interview or focus group, please call 020 8831 6083 or email janegetley@ruils.co.uk.

Thank you for taking part in this survey. You are helping to shape the way the Direct Payment service is delivered in the future.

Jane and the team at Ruils.

Useful definitions:

Direct Payment

A Direct Payment is a payment made to an individual following a community care assessment in lieu of council provided care. A Direct Payment enables the individual to set up, manage and pay for their own support.

Support Plan

A support plan is a document that explains how an individual will spend their Direct Payment to best meet their support needs and to achieve their identified outcomes.

Personal Assistant (PA)

A Personal Assistant is a person employed to provide someone with social care and support in a way that is right for them.

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1.How did you find out about Direct Payments?

Social Worker

Local Authority

Via the Local Authority Website (People First)

Action on Disability

Other voluntary sector organisation

Other (please specify)

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2.How long have you been using a Direct Payment?

Less than one year

1 - 2 years

2 - 4 years

More than 4 years

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3.What do you use your Direct Payment funds for?

Care agency services

Transport services

Social Centre or Day Centre

Employing your own support staff / PA

Activities in your community

Equipment

Other (please specify)

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4.How involved did you feel in the process of writing your support plan and budget?

I felt very involved

I felt involved

I felt only slightly involved

I did not feel at all involved

Don't know - what is a Support Plan?

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5.To what extent do you feel your support plan reflects your needs/requirements?